Conveyer-chain and link thereof



R. B. ELLEDGE.

CONYVEYER CHAIN AND LINK THEREOF.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15. 1919.

1,335,673., Patented Mar. 30, 1920.-

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UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ROBERT B. ELLEDGE,

OF TAMPA, FLORIDA.

CONVEYER-CI-IAIN AND LINK THEREQF.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

Application filed April 15, 1919. Serial No. 290,273.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT B. ELLEDGE, a citizen of, the United States, residing at Tampa, in the county of Hillsborough and State of Florida, have invented new and useful Improvements in Conveyer-Chains and Links Thereof, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to chains for conveying substance and to the links of such chains.

The general object of the invention is the provision of a link and a conveyer chain made up of a plurality of the links connected together; the said links and the chain being so constructed that they are no more expensive than chains and links of. usual construction, and yet are possessed of substantial practical advantages.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a conveyor chain link having exterior ears on its draw-bars; the said ears being adapted to serve the twofold function of cleaning the sides of the trough in which a stretch of the chain is disposed, while eliminating all wear on the connections between the links.

Another object is the provision of a conveyer chain link having a follower or crossbar that is larger or thicker in transverse section than the draw-bars, and hence is adapted to clean the bottom of the trough, and is also adapted to carry goods or material up an elevation without liability of rising on the goods or material.

Other objects and practical advantages of the invention will be fully understood from the following description and claim when the same are read in connection with the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a conveyor chain constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken in the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the links that enter into the chain.

Fig. 1 is a perspective of one of the connecting pins.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings. 2

The links are identical in construction, and therefore a detailed description of one link will suffice to impart a definite understanding of all.

Each link is preferably, though not necessarily, formed of a single piece of material compatible with its purpose, and is made up of a follower or crossbar 1 and draw-bars 2, disposed at right angles to. the cross-bar 1. The cross-bar is flat or square at its outer side 3, and is rounded at its inner side 4, the latter to afford a positive hold for a sprocket gear. Extending lengthwise through the cross-bar 1 is a bore 5 which is continued through the adjacent portions of the drawbar 2, and is designed to receive a connect- .ing pin 6. The draw-bars 2 are slightly deflected laterally outward at their ends remote from the cross-bar 1, as indicated by 7, and are provided near said ends with transverse apertures 8. In their portions adjacent to the cross-bar 1, the draw-bars 2 are provided with recesses 9, the walls 10 of which form side or lateral cars 11 on the draw-bars, the outer sides 12 of the said ears being tapered in a direction away from the walls 10 as shown, until they merge into the outer sides of the draw-bars 2. It will also be noted that intermediate the pin-receiving portions of the draw-bars and the ears 11, the draw-bars 2 are curved slightly inward at their outer sides, as indicated by 13. The recesses 9 in the draw-bars are designed to receive the end portions of the draw-bars of an adjoining link, as shown, Fig. 1, and from this it follows that the ears 11 will serve the purpose of guarding and preventing wear of the connected portions of adjoining links. It will also be understood that the cars 11 will serve to clean the side walls of a trough in which the chain is arranged to move, and consequently will contribute materially to the conveying capacity of the chain. Again the inward curvatures 13 at the outer sides of the draw-bars 2 will greatly lessen the frictional wear of the links against the side walls of a trough without in any measure detracting from the above the other, and is adapted to convey loose material of any character, either going, returning, or in both directions at the same time.

By preference the pin 6 is provided with a key 6 to rest in a recess 6 of a draw-bar 2 so as to preclude turning of the pin.

Having described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

An improved conveyer chain including links and connecting pins; each link being formed in one piece and comprising a crossbar and draw-bars extending approximately at right angles from the ends of the crossbar, the cross-bar being flat at its outer side andconvex at its inner side and having its outer side at right angles to the longitudinal median line of the link and extending throughout the thickness of the link and also having a bore receiving the connecting pin,

the draw-bars having exterior angularly disposed shoulders nearthe cross-bar and also having their outer sides curved in- Wardly from the outer ends of said shoulders, and apertured ends receiving a con-. necting pin and disposed end-Wise opposite the shoulders of an adjoining link.

In testimony whereof I affix'my signature.

ROBERT B; ELLEDGE. 

